Healthbox launches Europe's first business accelerator programme in London

Monday 22 October 2012

Seven teams of entrepreneurs from across Europe who have the potential to bring about real change to the UK health economy have been chosen to take part in a three-month business accelerator programme run by Healthbox in London.

Healthbox has selected Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, Bupa and Serco as strategic partners to the UK-based programme.

The programme, also welcomed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, offers healthcare entrepreneurs mentoring support and access to influential figures and organisations across the public and private healthcare spectrum.

Boris Johnson said: "London is a leading force in life-science and digital innovation and the natural home for entrepreneurs. I applaud the work Healthbox is doing in bringing the next generation of health tech businesses to the city, helping transform them into vibrant enterprises creating jobs and economic growth for Londoners."

Healthbox's programme has generated interest from twenty countries and five contents across the globe. A survey of entrepreneurs who applied to Healthbox's London and Boston programmes showed that 68% of healthcare innovators see an ageing population and the prevalence of chronic disease as the biggest challenges to the global health economy.

In an apparent response to these challenges, 23% of the startups applying to the programme have developed patient-focused technology to promote wellness and prevention, specifically through influencing consumer behaviour, data management or biometric tracking. This compares with just 4% who proposed new technology for tracking medication usage or 2% who are developing data privacy tools. The results demonstrate a growing trend towards technology and innovation designed to put the patient or user in greater control of their health and care.

"The Healthbox programme is about fostering collaboration in the sector and identifying solutions and talented entrepreneurs that we think can have impact and affect sustainable change", said Nina Nashif, the Founder and CEO of Healthbox. "I am very excited to work with these companies and see how they continue to refine their business propositions over the course of the three months and beyond."

"The Charity is delighted to invest in this programme that supports innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare", said Sir William Wells, Chairman of Guy's and St Thomas Charity. "The techniques and experience that Healthbox provides, alongside the entrepreneurs' talent and vision, will assist in accelerating new business development. with the potential to bring real change to healthcare delivery across London and beyond. We look forward to the NHS being able to harness the innovation that the programme will support."

The following seven teams, which have been catagorised into areas of critical need, have been selected to take part in the programme.

Patient Centred Practices

SportsClinicPlus is developing an online exercise tool to enable patients to recover quicker from injuries whilst reducing the probability of future chronic injury

Desktop Geneticsis developing a DNA printer device, which provides users with rapid and reliable in-house DNA synthesis capabilities, vital to new drug research in oncology, infectious disease, and regenerative medicine

Over a hundred healthcare leaders from across the NHS and public and private spectrum will attend the official launch of the UK based programme, which kicks off on the 17th October.

Notes to Editors

About Healthbox

Founded in 2011 by business incubator and venture capital firm Sandbox Industries, Healthbox is Europe's first business accelerator focused exclusively on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare. The programme brings together organisations from across the healthcare spectrum, including private and public providers, investors, retailers, business experts and NHS stakeholders, to form a dynamic hub of entrepreneurship with unrivalled exposure and access to the healthcare sector.

Contact

For further information and interviews please contact Alice Osborne at ZPB Ltd on 020 7018 1124 or alice@zpb-associates.com

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